Finland, and Scandinavia in general, always gave birth to new Metal bands. So it is not awkward that here we are dealing with another band from Turku, Finland. ODDLAND was formed in 2003 at a summer party where Sakari and Ville were celebrating entering adulthood. Soon their friend Joni entered the band. After two changes at the guitar spot, they now release their second demo, "Away From The Watching Eye".
Reading their influences, I was curious to listen to the three songs of this demo. It's really hard to combine ALICE IN CHAINS with ANTHRAX and TOOL or even STRAPPING YOUNG LAD with SPIRITUAL BEGGARS. To tell you the truth, I didn't manage to catch all those sources in the three songs, but surely noticed OPETH. The band describes themselves as "alternative Metal". Having some progressive moments, especially in "Still The Spirits Stays", some more heavy riffs in the first track and an OPETH-meets-KATATONIA feeling at the third one and clean vocals throughout those three compositions, it may sound alternative to some ears. As for me, "Away From The Watching Eye" balances between progressive Rock and the sound that OPETH helped make a trend. The production for a demo is very good and the compositions shall sound nice to fans of this genre.
ODDLAND is a young band, like the ones that are part of it. They have a lot of work in front of them and they have to find their own sound to go forward. This sample of their music is not bad at all, but they need improvement. It may be a Rock-oriented demo, in my ears, but it is aggressive at some moments, a thing I liked. Fans of KATATONIA AND OPETH should check them out.
